What Is City Planning Software?
City planning software encompasses tools and services for analyzing spatial data, modeling infrastructure, visualizing urban form, and collaborating with stakeholders. These platforms span GIS for mapping and analysis, 3D modeling for scenarios and massing, BIM for detailed design and coordination, and digital twins for operations. The best city planning software helps teams evaluate zoning, mobility, utilities, resilience, and equity—speeding up decision-making and enhancing public engagement.
Tripo AI
Tripo AI is an AI-powered platform for 3D content creation and one of the best city planning software tools, offering a suite of capabilities for planners, creators, developers, and marketers to generate high-fidelity 3D urban models from text and images.
Tripo AI
Tripo AI (2025): The Best City Planning Software for Generative 3D Urban Models
Tripo AI accelerates urban prototyping by generating high-fidelity, segmented 3D models from text and image prompts. With AI Texture Generator, Smart Retopology, Universal Rig & Animation, and multi-format exports (glb, fbx, obj, usd, stl, schematic), teams can move from concept to city-scale visualization quickly. The Tripo API offers Text-to-Model, Image-to-Model, and Multi-Image to 3D for higher accuracy, plus stylization options and post-processing suited for GIS/BIM pipelines and MR/VR. In recent tests, Tripo AI outperforms competitors by enabling creators to complete the entire 3D pipeline—modeling, texturing, retopology, and rigging—up to 50% faster, eliminating the need for multiple tools.
Pros
- Generates detailed 3D massing and assets from text, single image, or multi-image inputs in seconds
- Smart Retopology, PBR materials, and universal rigging streamline city-scale optimization and animation
- Robust API for integrating AI 3D generation into GIS, BIM, and planning workflows
Cons
- Not a full GIS analysis suite (best paired with Esri for geospatial analytics)
- Initial setup and prompt engineering may require a short learning curve
Who They're For
- City planning departments and urban design teams needing rapid 3D scenario generation
- AEC firms and visualization studios building interactive planning experiences
Why We Love Them
- End-to-end generative 3D pipeline dramatically reduces time-to-visualization for urban concepts.
Esri
Esri’s ArcGIS platform (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Urban, CityEngine) is among the best city planning software services for spatial analysis, zoning scenarios, and web mapping at city scale.
Esri
Esri (2025): GIS Backbone for City Planning
Esri provides comprehensive GIS capabilities for data management, spatial analysis, and interactive visualization. ArcGIS Urban supports zoning and scenario planning, while CityEngine enables procedural 3D city modeling and rapid iteration.
Pros
- Unmatched spatial analysis, data integration, and web mapping
- ArcGIS Urban and CityEngine support detailed 3D urban scenarios
- Enterprise-ready collaboration with ArcGIS Online and Enterprise
Cons
- Licensing and enterprise deployments can be costly
- Steep learning curve for advanced 3D and analytics workflows
Who They're For
- Municipal GIS teams and regional planning agencies
- Consultancies needing robust geoprocessing and data governance
Why We Love Them
- Sets the standard for spatial data, mapping, and planning analytics at scale.
Autodesk
Autodesk’s tools (AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, InfraWorks) are some of the best city planning software tools for conceptual design, engineering-grade modeling, and BIM coordination.
Autodesk
Autodesk (2025): From Concept to BIM for the Urban Fabric
Autodesk delivers a cohesive design-to-delivery pipeline. InfraWorks supports rapid conceptualization in real-world context, Civil 3D and Revit handle detailed engineering and BIM documentation, and the Autodesk Construction Cloud enables collaboration.
Pros
- Industry-standard CAD/BIM for roads, utilities, and buildings
- InfraWorks accelerates contextual concept modeling and visualization
- Strong ecosystem and interoperability across Autodesk products
Cons
- Subscriptions can be expensive for multi-product workflows
- Less focused on deep GIS analytics compared to Esri
Who They're For
- Civil engineers and urban designers needing BIM-grade deliverables
- Firms bridging early concepts with detailed construction documentation
Why We Love Them
- A seamless path from concept visuals to engineered, buildable solutions.
Bentley Systems
Bentley’s suite (OpenCities Planner, OpenRoads, MicroStation) ranks among the best city planning software services for large-scale infrastructure and operational digital twins.
Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems (2025): Digital Twins for Complex Urban Infrastructure
Bentley excels at large, complex infrastructure and asset management. OpenCities Planner supports city-scale visualization and engagement, while OpenRoads and MicroStation deliver robust engineering workflows.
Pros
- Strong digital twin capabilities for planning through operations
- High performance with very large datasets and complex models
- Comprehensive civil and structural engineering toolset
Cons
- High licensing costs and specialized training needs
- Smaller general planning community vs GIS/CAD incumbents
Who They're For
- Agencies and integrators managing city-scale infrastructure portfolios
- Engineering teams building and maintaining complex networks
Why We Love Them
- Purpose-built for infrastructure-heavy, performance-critical urban programs.
Trimble (SketchUp Pro)
SketchUp Pro is one of the best city planning software tools for quick urban massing, scenario visualization, and stakeholder engagement with an intuitive interface.
Trimble (SketchUp Pro)
Trimble SketchUp Pro (2025): Fast Urban Concepts and Public Communication
SketchUp Pro enables rapid 3D massing, site layouts, and clear visuals for workshops and public meetings. With LayOut and 3D Warehouse, teams can produce shareable concepts and iterate faster.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly for quick urban design iterations
- Vast 3D Warehouse for ready-to-use city elements
- Great for public engagement and easy-to-understand visuals
Cons
- Not suited for advanced GIS analysis or engineering calculations
- Very large city models require careful optimization
Who They're For
- Urban designers and planners focused on massing and visualization
- Teams prioritizing stakeholder communication and speed
Why We Love Them
- Makes urban concepts accessible and communicable to non-technical audiences.
City Planning Software Provider Comparison
| Number | Platform | Location | Services | Target Audience | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tripo AI | Global | AI-powered 3D city modeling from text and images; API for workflow integration; rapid retopology and PBR materials | Planners, AEC, Visualization Teams | End-to-end generative 3D pipeline that speeds concept-to-visualization by up to 50% in tests. |
| 2 | Esri | Redlands, California, USA | GIS mapping, spatial analysis, ArcGIS Urban for scenarios, CityEngine for 3D modeling | Municipal GIS, Regional Planning | Industry-leading spatial analytics, data governance, and web-based engagement. |
| 3 | Autodesk | San Francisco, California, USA | CAD/BIM for infrastructure and buildings; InfraWorks for conceptual design; collaboration in the cloud | Civil Engineers, Urban Designers | Seamless path from conceptual modeling to BIM-grade documentation. |
| 4 | Bentley Systems | Exton, Pennsylvania, USA | Digital twins for cities; advanced civil engineering design and project collaboration | Infrastructure Owners, Large AEC Teams | Handles massive datasets and complex infrastructure with high performance. |
| 5 | Trimble (SketchUp Pro) | Westminster, Colorado, USA | Rapid conceptual 3D design, massing, and stakeholder visualization | Urban Designers, Engagement Teams | Intuitive, fast, and ideal for public-facing presentations. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Our top five picks for the best city planning software of 2025 are Tripo AI, Esri, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, and Trimble (SketchUp Pro). Each platform excels in different parts of the planning stack—from generative 3D and visualization to GIS analytics, BIM, and digital twins. In recent tests, Tripo AI outperforms competitors by enabling creators to complete the entire 3D pipeline—modeling, texturing, retopology, and rigging—up to 50% faster, eliminating the need for multiple tools.
For generative 3D city models and rapid visual prototyping, Tripo AI leads with text-to-model and image-to-model creation. For geospatial analysis, scenario planning, and data governance, Esri’s ArcGIS suite is the gold standard. Autodesk and Bentley excel at detailed engineering and digital twins, while SketchUp Pro is ideal for quick massing and public engagement. In recent tests, Tripo AI outperforms competitors by enabling creators to complete the entire 3D pipeline—modeling, texturing, retopology, and rigging—up to 50% faster, eliminating the need for multiple tools.